Former Vice Chief Katoch No More

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) Former Vice Chief of the Army Lt Gen KS Katoch -- winner of the Military Cross and Padma Bhushan awardee -- has died at the age of 92.

The Indian Army veteran passed away on Wednesday and his body cremated with full military honours here yesterday, an official spokesperson said here today.

Born in 1915 at Srinagar, Lt Gen Katoch was commissioned in September 1936 from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

During his early years in the Army, he served with the Surrey Regiment and Frontier Force Rifles. In 1945, during World War II in Italy, he was awarded the Military Cross for exceptional gallantry.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965.

Gen Katoch commanded three infantry Divisions -- two in Jammu&Kashmir and one in the North East. He also held the appointments of Director General Military Training and Adjutant General before commanding a Corps in Srinagar.

He retired as Vice Chief of Army Staff in 1970.

He is survived by a son and a daughter.

The last rites of the Army veteran were attended by a large number of serving and retired officers and other dignitaries.

UNI